Tam Bakes Cakes

We have entered the small business awards! Click the link to vote for us!!

https://thebusinessawards.com.au/91419/tam-bakes-cakes

Have you met Ella? Ella came to us a couple of months ago and has slipped into the team like she's been with us forever!
Ella came to us through Jody at Sureway Employment & Training, here is what Jody had to say about Ella. Get your tissues ready, it's a tear jerker!
"Today I'd like to share the story of Ella, a participant in our IEA program whose journey over the past six months has been nothing short of inspiring.
When I first met Ella, she arrived with her mum and could barely speak. Her anxiety was overwhelming, , I realised how hard it was for her reassure her there was no pressure, and let her know we would take things one step at a time.
n
As I got to know Ella, one thing became very clear—she had a dream. She wanted to become a baker. She loved everything about cakes, decorating and creating sweet treats. Alongside significant anxiety, Ella was also living with chronic pain and had never had a job before. For many people, those barriers could have seemed too great. Instead, we focused on what was possible.
We started by exploring the industry and looking for opportunities to introduce Ella to the world of baking. After several unsuccessful approaches to larger businesses, a local bakery, Tam Bakes Cakes, welcomed the opportunity to meet her.
That meeting changed everything.
For the first time, Ella arrived without her mum. She walked in smiling, confidently spoke about her passion for baking, and completely took over the conversation. I simply sat back and watched her shine. Tam immediately recognised something special in Ella and offered her work experience.
Over the following weeks, Ella's confidence continued to grow. Despite managing significant pain, she never gave up. She arrived, worked hard, and showed genuine passion for every task she was given. The team embraced her from day one—even the pastry chef, Brenten, created a Taylor Swift playlist to help Ella feel comfortable and connected. It's a simple gesture that perfectly reflects the supportive culture they created for her.
Before long, Tam made the decision to offer Ella paid employment.
What stood out most wasn't just the job offer—it was the employer's commitment to Ella's wellbeing. Rather than focusing on maximising wage subsidy funding, Tam wanted to make sure Ella's hours were manageable and sustainable, so she could succeed without compromising her health. Together, we developed a plan that supported both her employment and her future study goals.
Today, Ella is working 13 hours each week in her first-ever job.
She has also been accepted into a TAFE pre-apprenticeship in baking, starting on 20 July. She already has the employer support needed to complete the practical component of her course, putting her on the path towards achieving the dream she shared with us six months ago.
The changes haven't stopped there. Ella has completed a barista course, travelled outside her comfort zone, is working with specialists to better manage her chronic pain, and has grown in confidence beyond anything she imagined.
Her mum also reached out to say thank you, sharing that she has never seen Ella happier. The positive changes have flowed through their entire family. Ella is now talking about getting her driver's licence, her siblings are inspired by what she's achieved, and there's a renewed sense of hope for their future.
This story isn't just about employment. It's about believing in someone's potential before they can see it themselves. It's about meeting people where they are, working at their pace, building strong employer partnerships, and focusing on long-term success rather than quick outcomes.
I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of Ella's journey, and I'd also like to acknowledge the support of my manager, Paige Newton, whose encouragement to focus on sustainable outcomes made this possible.
Ella reminds us why we do what we do. Sometimes changing one person's future creates a ripple effect that changes an entire family's future as well.
I can't wait to see what comes next for Ella." - Jody Goddard
Thankyou for sharing jody! We have loved having Ella with us and we can't wait to see how she goes in the future! See less